Jeff Bobo

ROGERSVILLE — A Rogersville man celebrated the final few hours of his 22nd birthday in police custody Saturday night after he allegedly punched in the groin an officer who had responded to a fight at his birthday party.

Everett Kenneth Bennett III, 1022 Locust St., Rogersville, told police after the altercation that he became upset because his mother didn’t attend his birthday party.

Upon their arrival, deputies found several people in the yard and Bennett inside the residence being held down by two other people to prevent him from fighting.

HCSO Cpl. Nathan Simpson stated in his report that Bennett appeared to be “very intoxicated and angry.” A short time later, Deputy Chris Funk had Bennett sitting on a bed speaking to him and “he became irate when I came into his sight,” Simpson added.

“Mr. Bennett became belligerent, and I gave him a verbal command to calm down,” Simpson stated in his report. “At that point Bennett slapped my hand and was cursing toward me. Deputy Funk then set Bennett down on the bed again and he appeared to be calming down.

“Bennett then screamed and lunged toward me and punched me in the groin area.”

Deputies took Bennett to the floor and placed him in custody. He was released on bond from the Hawkins County Jail Sunday evening and is scheduled for arraignment in sessions court on Aug. 25.